How do I restore a brushed finish?

[Aaron Coffee]

How do I restore a brushed aluminum finsh(or at least get all of the scratchs going in the same direction. I have tried to do some polishing and have some spots that are shinier than others.
Thanks
Aaron Coffee

[doug hodder]

Aaron...that's a tough one...I've done some panels for instruments and handles on a fire truck before, I did it with a belt sander, a 120 grit grained belt and a lot of practice, but the piece was only like 2'x4'...if it's flat it's a lot easier than if it is already bent like on a tear...I'd think you are going to be hard pressed to doctor up an existing finish and make it blend in. You might try doing it by hand with something like a 100 grit paper, only pull or push, and set up some sort of straight edge to follow..any angle and you're sunk...I think the big thing is that it is a brushed finish...any "polishing" will be finer grit...a brushed finish is an agressive grit. You'd probably be better off buying a sheet of material with the brush finish on it you want and overlaying it, a lot of them come anodized so that will give you extra protection from future scratches...just my experience...Doug

[madjack]

...the best technique I have seen/used is to get a 3M type scuff pad (green scrub pad from grocery store will work) and work it in the same direction(by hand) until you get the finish desired or use the same scuff pad and an orbital sander and get a similar effect...with all such things...PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE...
madjack

[MarksMG]

I had the same problems with scratches on my tear so I did the same thing that MJ is saying. Now everytime I wash it I just use a scotchbrite pad instead of a sponge. I think it looks good that way and get lots of complements on it.

Mark

[doug hodder]

I guess I misintrepreted his question. What I was talking about was on a "brushed" finish not a mill finish which is what he probably has on his tear...Doug

[kerryd]

I use the same pads as Mad Jack is talking about but set a palm sander on it . I don't try to attach it to the sander . Use the big pads . I think they are 6x9 . You can keep moving the sander to a fresh part of the pad . It comes out nice . Kerry

[SteveH]

Kerry,

A question...wouldn't using the orbital sander and scotchbrite pad put a circular swirl pattern on the aluminum?

The aluminum on my tear is mill finished (at least it was originaly) and has a straight pattern.

[madjack]

Steve, we only did some 2'x2' test pieces using a random orbit hand sander and there were no visible swirl marks...we moved the sander back and forth and all around randomly, not allowing it to sit on one area for any period of time...we tried several methods and this seemed to work the best.........
madjack